There's Always A Local Angle

Stone, the director of controversial films like “Platoon” and “JFK,” takes a somber and respectful approach in the film about two New York Port Authority police officers, played by Nicolas Cage and Michael Pena, trapped in the rubble of the twin towers.

But as the film cuts to reactions around the world, it makes a stop at a Sheboygan diner where customers are watching news coverage of the terrorist attacks. And then, toward the end, as rescuers emerge from the smoking Ground Zero they walk past a sign that reads “Wisconsin Loves NYC Cops” where they are handed “the best brat you’ll get in the whole world.”

While the scenes may seem gratuitous in a film about far more serious things, they apparently are based in fact. The following excerpt describing the Sheboygan angle appears on the Court TV Crime Library website.

"The compelling need to help wasn’t relegated to the people of New York City. A group of cops from Sheboygan, Wisconsin, for example, loaded up a truck with hundreds of pounds of bratwurst and cheddar cheese and two grills. They drove straight through from Wisconsin to Manhattan and got as close to the sight as they could. They explained who they were and why they were there to a ranking PAPD officer.

"They offered to aid in the rescue efforts on the pile if they were needed, but in the meantime all they wanted to do was feed the people who were doing the job. Their truck was escorted to a parking lot near the sight, and the cops from Wisconsin set up their grills, cooking their bratwurst and handing out food to whoever wanted it. When their food was gone, they got back into their truck and drove home, but before they left, they gave their names and phone numbers to a PAPD lieutenant. “If you want us to come back,” one of them said, “all you have to do is ask.” One of the PAPD officers still remembers the taste of their bratwurst. “It was the best I ever had,” he said.

For the complete story, including a narrative description of the rescue portrayed in the film go to http://www.crimelibrary.com/terrorists_spies/terrorists/papd/4.html. And if you were one of the Sheboygan cops involved, drop me a line at ddudek@journalsentinel.com.